Arts And Science

The 2025 Southern Festival of Books, presented by Vanderbilt University in partnership with Humanities Tennessee, will connect faculty, students, alumni and others with university ties to a vast community that shares their love for creative expression. The festival, now in its 37th year, will be at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Tennessee State Museum and Tennessee State Library and Archives Oct. 18–19. Admission is free. Read More

When John Warren is seeking inspiration, he walks and observes. Wandering the streets of Nashville with a 16mm Bolex film camera, the lecturer in art is constantly on the hunt for his next project. Warren filmed on and off for seven years, with many of his shots taking place from 2017-2018. The resulting project is a 16mm experimental film loop called Future Tense that is currently featured in a Frist Art Museum exhibit, Avenues to a Great City, running now through December 14. Read More

A national search is underway for Vanderbilt’s next vice provost for research and innovation. Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver has appointed a committee to identify candidates for the university’s new chief research officer, who will begin their appointment early in 2026. Read More

For many, summer is a time to soak up the sunshine, venture outside, and maybe even tackle the books on that lengthy “to be read” list. For students in the College of Arts and Science, summer presents a different opportunity: a chance to apply their skills and academic knowledge to real-world challenges, setting the stage for future career success. Read More

When an “unsolvable” problem needs solving, put John Wikswo on the team. As director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education and University Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and Physics, Wikswo is tackling questions crucial to the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, now with support from Vanderbilt's Innovation Catalyst Fund. Read More

The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy recently conducted a national poll to gauge Americans’ opinions on topics related to institutions of higher education, including their confidence in those institutions, their current relevance, federal policies targeting them and the principle of neutrality. The results indicate that, despite frequent coverage of the escalating charges and accusations against institutions of higher education, Americans’ have confidence in them — and that confidence is growing. Further, Americans believe colleges and universities have a positive effect on the state of the country.  Read More

RESEARCH SPARK: Meet new faculty Maya Singhal and see how their research could help us understand the impact of diverse community dynamics. Read More

The College of Arts and Science is ushering in a new era with the opening of the renovated and expanded Garland Hall. The welcoming, visionary space serves as a central hub for collaboration across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Read More

Which new faculty member loves Lego? Get to know some of Vanderbilt’s newest faculty beyond their resume. Read More

Hear from Vanderbilt's newest faculty on the positive impact their research could have on society. Read More

Over the next four years, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy Alex Lupsasca will lead a Vanderbilt team in a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional collaboration funded by an $8 million grant from the Simons Foundation with a focus on black holes and strong gravity. Read More

Meet some of Vanderbilt's newest faculty as they explain why Vanderbilt is the right academic home for them. Read More

Vanderbilt researchers uncovered evidence of a Chinese government-linked AI propaganda campaign, revealing unprecedented scale and precision in influence operations. The work reflects the university’s growing role in addressing urgent global security challenges.  Read More

This fall, the College of Arts and Science is introducing strategic structural and pedagogical changes to undergraduate education that will better serve students and faculty and help to deliver an unparalleled undergraduate academic experience. Read More

Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver has launched a global search for the next dean of the Vanderbilt University College of Arts and Science, who will begin their appointment in the 2026–27 academic year. Dean Timothy P. McNamara has announced his decision to step down from the deanship at the end of his term on June 30, 2026, and return to the faculty. Read More

Learn more about Prof. Jesús Ruiz and his family and why he's excited to be faculty head of Moore College. Read More

See the top songs on Gilbert Gonzales's playlist and learn why he wanted to be a faculty head of house. Read More

Learn about the newest faculty head of house and his special ties to Vanderbilt long before he became a professor. Read More

The College Core provides students with a broad and deep education across the arts and the sciences. Built on the idea that students need to be equipped with fundamental capacities that will serve them beyond the classroom, the new curriculum will encourage exploration and curiosity, help students forge unexpected connections, and span across disciplines. Read More

The Curb Scholars program at The Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy is taking on five new undergraduate students this semester. This program, inspired by the life and career of songwriter and entertainment figure Mike Curb, rewards students working in a variety of artistic spaces. Read More